Kant’s Universal Ethics and the Categorical Imperative
Kant’s Universal Ethics
In his critical review of reason, Immanuel Kant was not content to limit this analysis to the theoretical level; it should also cover reason’s proper function in the field of moral action. The goal, therefore, is to identify the conditions of possibility that allow us to deem an action moral.
Critique of Material Ethics
Kant proposed formal ethics based on universality as the foundation for moral action. According to Kant, all ethical systems defended up until then could be
Read MoreCommon Fallacies in Reasoning: A Practical Analysis
Understanding Logical Fallacies
Fallacies of Ambiguity
Equivocation
The ambiguity arises because a term in the argument has multiple meanings.
Example: My neighbor is at the mechanic shop every day with his monkey. He must be a great animal lover.
Amphibology
The confusion stems from the grammatical structure of a premise in the argument.
Example: Have they arrested the murderer of your father?
Material Fallacies
Fallacies of Relevance
Ad Hominem Fallacy (“Against the Man”)
This fallacy involves attacking
Read MoreUnderstanding Justice, Human Rights, and Political Ideologies
Justice, Human Rights, and Political Ideologies
Justice: Acting in a way that considers what each person deserves contributes to social justice. This is a new way of understanding human and labor relations.
These are human rights claimed by socialist movements. The first human rights proclamations emerged from enlightened and liberal environments in the last third of the 18th century. The most important are: Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence from the U.S., Declaration of Human Rights and
Read MoreJosé Ortega y Gasset: Objectivism, Perspectivism, and Ratio-Vitalism
José Ortega y Gasset: A Philosophical Journey
Stage 1: Objectivism (1883-1913)
Ortega y Gasset was born in Madrid in 1883, into a family with strong ties to culture and journalism. His grandfather founded the newspaper The Guardian, where Ortega later contributed. From 1905 to 1907, he traveled to Germany, a period that shaped his objectivism, culminating in the publication of Meditations on Don Quixote. His philosophical interests focused on the study of neo-Kantianism, particularly the work of
Read MoreNietzsche’s Life, Influences, and Reactions: A Philosophical Analysis
Nietzsche’s Life and Philosophical Context
Nietzsche was born in Röcken, Germany in 1844. He studied Greek and Latin and received his doctorate in classical philology. At the age of 34, he independently agreed to chair a position at the University of Basel, shortly after publishing his first book, The Birth of Tragedy. However, health problems forced him to retire at 34. It was during this period that he wrote most of his works, characterized by intrigues and provocations designed to stimulate the
Read MoreSocial Contract Theories: Hobbes, Locke, and Rawls
The social contract is a theory that addresses the circumstances of absolute freedom and absolute power without restraint. Each individual attempts to impose their will on others, reflecting the pessimistic view of “Homo homini lupus” (man is a wolf). This state of nature, characterized by absolute freedom, is a state of fear. To overcome this, the social contract emerges, based on two ideas: the state is a product of fear, and the state must be powerful to impose its will on its citizens.